I just found “Inventing the Rest of Our Lives” and particularly love the concept of the”fertile void” – the time period when lots might be happening, but we can’t quite see it. It is not a comfortable time but an important one. In twelve days I will become an “ex teacher” and, after a busy summer, will enter my “fertile void”.

When people ask me what I have planned next I tell them I’m not quite sure but I made the decision to retire with the assumption that when I open my life to something new, something new is bound to come along. I’m reminded of the image of a trapeze artist – she has to let go in order to fly to the next bar. I’ll be flying and hoping that next bar shows up as planned!

Of course I am so incredibly thankful to have the economic freedom that allows me to do this. It is a gift that I do not take lightly. I send my gratitude to my dear departed dad, my boyfriend, even my ex husband and to the union trailblazers who ensured my pension.